Greenhills Shopping Center has always held a special place in the hearts of many Filipinos—including mine. After not visiting since 2023, stepping back into the newly refreshed GH Mall felt like a homecoming wrapped in twinkling lights, new shops, reimagined spaces, and the unmistakable warmth of Ortigas Land’s continued revitalization of this beloved destination. And on November 14, the mall officially ushered in the holiday season with its Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the East Wing Atrium. This event brought together city leaders, business partners, families, performers, and travelers-at-heart for a magical night.
GH Mall ushers in the Christmas season with the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. As part of the celebration, Ortigas Land President & CEO Jose Emmanuel “Junie” H. Jalandoni (far right) handed out gifts to children under the care of the San Juan City Social Welfare and Development Office. Together with Jalandoni were EVA Airways Corp. Junior Vice President Rick Hsieh (far left), San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, and his son.
This year’s celebration, themed “Holidays Around the World,” transformed GH Mall into a vibrant global playground. Major partner EVA Air helped bring this idea to life with a playful Texan twist inspired by the airline’s newly launched Taipei–Dallas-Fort Worth route. From Western accents to warm golden lights, the towering Christmas tree stood as a tribute to EVA Air’s expanding network.
The ceremony was graced by San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, Ortigas Land President and CEO Junie Jalandoni, EVA Airways Corporation General Manager Rick Hsieh, and RCBC executives. The presence of these leaders made the evening feel like more than a celebration—it was a testament to partnership, community, and shared purpose.
In his speech, Junie Jalandoni highlighted the strong working relationship between Ortigas Land, the LGU, and the mall’s tenants. He emphasized their collective vision to attract more businesses and create a thriving environment where families, shoppers, and travelers can safely enjoy San Juan City. Their efforts were evident in the mall’s revitalized layout, new stores, and improved spaces—welcome changes I immediately noticed upon my return.
Mayor Francis Zamora, who proudly recounts Greenhills as his childhood mall—having been born in Cardinal Santos and raised in the city—spoke passionately about supporting the private sector. He implied that public servants must help and facilitate businesses. He reiterates that when businesses thrive, they can pay taxes, which in turn expands the city’s capacity to offer better services to its people. He invited everyone to rediscover San Juan, warmly assuring the crowd, “Dito sa San Juan, safe na safe kayo.”
EVA Air’s Rick Hsieh charmed the audience when he greeted everyone with a heartfelt “Maligayang Pasko.” He shared how GH, RCBC, and EVA Air are united in a mission of connecting communities—a fitting message for a season centered on togetherness. A fun discovery from the evening: EVA is pronounced “E-V-A,” not “ee-vah,” and yes—now we all know.
The program was made even more festive with a performance by the Manila Junior Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Darwin Vargas, and a touching moment when Ortigas Land, together with EVA Air and Mayor Zamora’s office, distributed Christmas gifts to children under the care of the San Juan Social Welfare and Development Office. The night concluded with a delightful appearance by Santa Claus, delighting kids and adults alike.
The celebration didn’t end there. Coinciding with the festivities was the RCBC Travel Fair 2025: Adventure Unlimited, held from November 13 to 16 at the East Wing—GH Mall’s first-ever travel fair. RCBC credit cardholders enjoyed exclusive airline deals, 0% installment options, bonus travel limits, free travel insurance, and raffle entries for exciting prizes, including a trip for two to Dallas via EVA Air.
And as an added holiday treat, RCBC is running its Holidays Around the World Raffle Promo from November 11, 2025, to January 15, 2026, giving GH Mall shoppers a chance to win EVA Air tickets to dream destinations.
With its sparkling décor, global food selections, international brands, travel perks, and fresh new energy, GH Mall has genuinely become a one-stop destination for holiday shopping, dining, and adventure planning. For someone rediscovering it after years away, it was heartwarming to see how the mall—and the community surrounding it—continues to grow, evolve, and welcome the world.
For more information and updates on Ortigas Malls events, download the Ortigas Malls app, like and follow GH Mall on Facebook and Instagram, and join Ortigas Malls’ Viber Community.
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